Director\/Writer\/Producer\/Narrator Jackson Cooperman<\/a> gives us a must see film; Daydream<\/em><\/strong>. It has The Wonder Year<\/em><\/strong> and The Waltons<\/strong><\/em> vibes. Almost as if the two show\u2019s have a baby.<\/p>\n *Side Note: I loved the narration so much on this one that I had to triple check the credits. In my humble opinion, Cooperman sounds amazingly like Daniel Stern<\/a>. Yes, he of Home Alone<\/em><\/strong> fame. Listening to both narratives though, I found that Cooperman just \u201cfelt\u201d like Stern. It is the same type of delivery; sans the overt humour. It works. Mainly because the narration feels familiar<\/em>. Sorry, the long side note is over, back to the review.*<\/p>\n It is this feel of familiarity<\/em> that drops us comfortably into the \u201cextended\u201d tale of Nick, his teacher and his dad. Cooperman\u2019s decision to give a couple of intentional \u201cnods\u201d to this type of format hooks us almost immediately. *Short Side Note: If you skipped the Margaret Mitchell side note above, go back and read it. I\u2019ll wait. Pinky promise.*<\/p>\n Nick\u2019s dream is to become a writer. He is forever scribbling. He foregoes the use of a typewriter or cursive writing. His teacher Ms Aimette gives the writing class an assignment. She wants the students to write about people who have influenced them.<\/p>\n This project requires all the participants to daydream<\/em>. Thus begins a short odyssey of discovery for Nick, his dad; Frank and, it seems, the teacher as well.<\/p>\n Maura Aimette<\/a> plays herself as Nick\u2019s teacher.<\/p>\n Kieran Patrick<\/a> is Nick.<\/p>\n Kevin C. Carr<\/a> is Frank. <\/p>\n All of the kids in the classroom scenes felt pretty real. Most importantly, they look<\/em> like 11 year old children. There is none of the actor\/actress being in their early 20\u2019s malarkey. Daydream<\/em><\/strong> feels as authentic as its metaphorical \u201cparents.\u201d The casting works, pardon the pun, like a dream.<\/p>\n The three main players stand out. Kieran is completely believable as the socially awkward; by choice, budding writer. Ms Aimette is natural and manages the almost insurmountable stress of portraying herself. Mr Carr is almost mesmerizing as the isolated dad. <\/p>\n *Last Side Note: (I promise.) If anyone ever decides to make a bio about the late Brian Keith; Carr should be the choice. He looks enough like the late actor that I made the connection almost automatically.*<\/p>\n The only problem I had with the entire atmosphere of the story was that it felt older than 2008. Although, it has to be said, this actually helps<\/strong><\/em>. Looking back at my 11 year old school days, I could see faces that reminded me of my old schoolmates. Once again, this is most likely down to the casting. <\/p>\n Cooperman\u2019s team is top notch. Anthony Fuscaldo<\/a>, and Itamar Erez<\/a> give us a score that also feels<\/em> familiar, yet different. Cinematographer Brian Wennersten<\/a>, who filmed the main bits in just four eight hour days, puts this together very well. [Production Notes] Rob Ciano<\/a> and Cooperman were the 2nd Unit cinematographers; they put together the interview segments. Cooperman also edits the entire thing together, quite well. <\/p>\nThe Daydream Story<\/h2>\n
The Main Cast<\/h2>\n
![\"Daydream](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mikesfilmtalk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/aimette-and-nick.png?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mikesfilmtalk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/nick.png?resize=1024%2C769&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mikesfilmtalk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Nick-and-Frank.png?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\nA Word About the Youngsters<\/h3>\n
About The Daydream Casting<\/h2>\n
Behind the Camera<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mikesfilmtalk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/27.png?resize=1024%2C768&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\nDaydream Works<\/h2>\n